Sheffield United: United ace hopes for England nod

Dom Howson
Sheffield United

Harry Maguire will hope to earn another international cap when Sheffield United host a blue-riband Under-21 friendly between England and Scotland later this year.

The young Blades defender could feature when the Three Lions play their Scottish counterparts in a televised clash at Bramall Lane on Tuesday August 13, kick-off 7.30pm. The senior sides are scheduled to clash for the first time in 14 years at Wembley the following night.

It was last November Maguire, aged 20, made his England Under-21 debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in their encounter with Northern Ireland. Sheffield Wednesday midfielders Rhys McCabe and Liam Palmer will also be pushing for Scotland call-ups.

It will be the first time the two nations have gone head to head at under-21 level since 1993, with the match organised by the Football Association as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations. England’s U21s are unbeaten in eight meetings against their neighbours, winning six and drawing twice.

United manager David Weir said: “England versus Scotland at any level is a prestigious event and it is great news that our historic home has been selected to host a fixture between the Auld Enemy. I’ve already established the passion of supporters in this city and this fixture gives local supporters the opportunity to see the cream of the developing talent both north and south of the border.”

To mark their special milestone, the FA wanted to stage a match in Sheffield. The city is home to the world’s oldest football club Sheffield FC, founded in 1857, and whose officials were present at the Freemasons’ Tavern when the FA was formed six years later.

FA Director of Football Development Trevor Brooking said: “Sheffield has a great deal of football history, and it is only right that we take such an exciting fixture to Bramall Lane as part of the wider FA 150 activity this year.”

Tickets are priced at £10 adults and £5 concessions (or £20 for a family of four).